§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants have been made from public funds for the repair and maintenance of Yester house and Yester chapel; what public access conditions apply to those grants; and what steps he is taking to ensure that those conditions are fulfilled. [10299]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 13 January 1997]: Between 1977 and 1982 grant of £203,690 was awarded under the historic buildings repair grant scheme in respect of Yester house. The condition of grant giving a public right of access to Yester house ceased to have effect following a change of ownership in 1986.
Between 1990 and 1995 grant of £161,700 under the same scheme was awarded for repairs to Yester chapel. This building, although in the grounds of Yester house, is in entirely separate ownership. A condition of the grant to the chapel's trustees was that there should be public access by appointment. It is for the chapel's trustees in the first instance to ensure that all conditions under which they accepted grant are fulfilled.